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<bR> <center><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "micronesia-20"; amazon_ad_width = "160"; amazon_ad_height = "600"; amazon_ad_include = "world+war+2world+war+ii+ww2"; amazon_ad_categories = "ac";//--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/ads.js"></script></center> <bR> <center><script type="text/javascript"><!-- amazon_ad_tag = "micronesia-20"; amazon_ad_width = "160"; amazon_ad_height = "600"; amazon_ad_logo = "hide"; amazon_ad_border = "hide";//--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/s/ads.js"></script></center> <bR> <center><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-9701950495660103"; google_ad_width = 160; google_ad_height = 600; google_ad_format = "160x600_as"; google_ad_type = "text_image"; google_ad_channel =""; google_color_border = "FFFFFF"; google_color_bg = "FFFFFF"; google_color_link = "0000CC"; google_color_url = "000099"; google_color_text = "000000"; //--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script></center> <bR> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP ROWSPAN=3 WIDTH="6"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="385" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="6" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="643"><div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>EARL HANCOCK ELLIS</B></FONT></div> <div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>A Marine in Micronesia</B></FONT></div> <div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Dirk Anthony Ballendorf</FONT></div> <div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><I>Lieutenant Colonel Earl Hancock Ellis (1880-1923) of the U.S Marine Corps ranks as one of the most enigmatic and legendary figures in 20th century American military history. In the fall of 1921, he embarked upon a confidential mission to the Pacific from which he never returned. After leaving the Yokohoma Naval Hospital on 6 October 1922, he became involved in spy activities, which ended with his death at Koror 12 May 1923.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Lieutenant Colonel Earl Hancock “Pete” Ellis (1880-1923) of the United States Marine Corps ranks as one of the most enigmatic and legendary figures in twentieth century American military history. His service in the Marine Corps spanned twenty-three years (1900-1923) during which time he served in the Far East and distinguished himself in France during World War I. From 1911 when he attended the Naval War College until 1921 when he submitted his famous and prophetic <I>Advanced Base Operations In Micronesia</I>, his brilliance as a war planner and strategist was established as unparalleled in the military services.</FONT></div> <bR> <center><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=hK6uKL32JuI&offerid=80958.10000009&type=3&subid=0" >Shop Here for Your Favorite Marine. Enter COUPON CODE H1224 and Save on Every Order through December 24th!</a><IMG border=0 width=1 height=1 src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=hK6uKL32JuI&bids=80958.10000009&type=3&subid=0" ></center> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">In the fall of 1921 he embarked upon a confidential mission to the Pacific from which he never returned. After leaving the Yokohoma Naval Hospital on 6 October 1922, he was not heard from until Japanese authorities in the Carolines reported him dead at Koror on 12 May 1923.</FONT></div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="321"><div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The events transpiring during the course of the mission and its subsequent investigation and retrieval of Ellis’ remains---a period of slightly more than two years—have ever since been the subject of popular and official speculation and sensationalism. His death in Japanese territory at a time when he was unaccounted for by the Marine Corps, gave rise to contemporary press speculation that he was the victim of foul play by the Japanese. Although official investigations were undertaken immediately, the results were never sufficiently conclusive to lift the shroud of mystery, which surrounded his final days. The Japanese refused to cooperate in the investigation and kept their Micronesian islands veiled in secrecy.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">What actually happened is not mysterious. Official records and statements by people who actually knew Ellis, or were involved somehow, have told part of the story. We now have readily </FONT></div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B><IMG SRC="0620c4f0.jpg" border=0 width="268" height="335" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP COLSPAN=2 WIDTH="643"><div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">available the testimonies of Micronesian eyewitnesses, some of whom lived and worked closely with Ellis while he was in the islands. In addition, there has also now been an examination of Ellis’ personal papers, which are in the possession of his family in Pratt, Kansas. The integration of these sources with the official information answers all-important questions, as well as many lesser ones, and allows for a straightforward objective account of Ellis’ Micronesian mission. They also tell of a curious, interesting, and tragic human drama.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>ELLIS THE MAN AND MARINE</B></FONT></div> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Ellis began his career in the Marines when he enlisted at Chicago in 1900. In 1901, Ellis was commissioned a second lieutenant and began his rise through the officer ranks. By the end of his first decade of military service, Ellis was firmly committed to the development of offensive advanced base operations as the fundamental mission of the Marine Corps.[2] From 1911 to 1913, Ellis attended the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island,[3] where he prepared and delivered a number of papers relating to the strategic importance of naval bases.[4] Then while serving on Guam in 1915, he and a small group of men took a three inch gun across the reef at Orote Point, thus demonstrating for the first time that artillery could be landed from boats.[5] From 1915 until America’s entry into World War I, Ellis served in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Quantico. Ellis distinguished himself in France during World War I by planning and helping to execute a difficult operation along Mont Blance Ridge on the Hindenburg Line. For this, he was decorated with the Croix de Guerre and the Navy Cross.[6]</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">After the war, he was assigned to the newlycreated Operations and Training Division at Washington headquarters by the commandant, major General John Archer Lejeune.[7] There after seven months, he completed his remarkable <I>Operations Plan 712-H: Advanced base Operations in Micronesia</I>,[8] Ellis was in his forty-first year. His professional; military record showed him to be a high-achiever and an indefatigable worker, completely dedicated to his service. Contemporaries referred to him as “one of the most brilliant officers in the Marine Corps.”[9]</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">But, there was a darker personal side. Throughout his adult life, Ellis suffered from nervous disorders and depression. He began drinking after joining the Marines, and by the time he was a captain, he had a serious alcohol problem. On Guam in 1915, his medical record shows for the first time he was hospitalized for this difficulty.[10] After this his record is spotted with a series of treatments and recuperations. These depressions and drinking bouts were sometimes accompanied by bizarre behavior. One incident in the Philippines has him “shooting plates off a dinner table” following a meal. In another at Saipan during his Guam tour, he reportedly “knocked a Japanese down a flight of stairs” with little provocation.[11] Diagnoses were entered for him as “neurasthenia” or psychosthenia” used at the time to describe depressions, phobias, nervous uncertainties, and the other irrationalities.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Graphologists analyzing Ellis’ handwriting at different stages in his life have also called attention to evidences of confusion and disturbance. At age nineteen, before joining the Marines, he was noted from a handwriting specimen as “fighting an inner battle with himself.”[12] Possibly his motivation for joining the Marines had something to do with trying to resolve his inner conflicts and feelings if inadequacy.[13] Doubting his ability and constantly seeking recognition, he always strove to excel.[14] But from 1915 onward, his drinking problem became steadily more serious, and he was hospitalized on numerous occasions for extended periods.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">The Marine office corps was something of a fraternity in Ellis’ day. It was enough that most of the men knew each other personally. Alcoholism was not then recognized as the serious disease it is. Those with problems were helped along or covered-up by others. Undoubtedly this was the case with Ellis. General Lejeune, a close friend of Ellis’, was certainly aware of his alcoholism but, nevertheless, retained him and allowed him the satisfaction of exercising his talent for strategic planning. It must nevertheless be assumed that while there was compassion for Ellis, there was also frustration and consternation in the Corps. Ellis’ behavior pattern, as exhibited by his medical record was to go through a series of increasingly severe binges and depressions always to emerge apparently recovered, and hence to obtain a reprieve, with encouragement from his superiors to abstain and reform.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>PLANNING THE MISSION</B></FONT></div> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">His final mission had the aspect of a last chance. His health had deteriorated by the time he joined the headquarters staff, and the intense devotion to his task absorbed and enervated him.[15] His paper <I>Advanced Base Operations in Micronesia</I>, recognized even then as an outstanding work, brought him relief and a sense of accomplishment. It is understandable that having outlined the plans for an advance base campaign against the Japanese, he would want to travel personally to the mandated islands to reconnoiter, evaluate, and refine his work. The idea was not new. He had first requested such travel as early as 1912 while at the War College and while Micronesia was still under German control.</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">After World War I, while Ellis was assigned to headquarters, the matter was renewed. International events provided a sound rationale for the mission. The Japanese took Micronesia from the Germans at the outbreak of World War I.[16] This gave them a Pacific dominance and enabled them to limit U.S. access to the Philippines. When the war ended Micronesia was awarded to Japan by the Treaty of Versailles. America acceptance of the Japanese claim was contingent upon Japan joining the League of Nations and governing the islands by a mandate which prohibited fortifications. The Japanese agreed and instituted a civil government, but denied foreigner’s access to Micronesia. This prompted rumors that the islands were being fortified. In the 1920s, intelligence information could be gathered only by getting people on the ground to observe. Thus, General Lejeune became involved in queries to ONI regarding such a mission and the assignment of Ellis to it.[17] Undoubtedly Lejeune had serious reservations about allowing Ellis to go and the two men must have had some candid discussions about the mission and Ellis’ physical and psychological ability to undertake it. In the end, Lejeune apparently decide to let Ellis accomplish the mission by taking extended leave, thus avoiding the necessity of getting official approval. Going further, Ellis provided the commandant with a signed, undated letter of resignation to save the Marine Corps embarrassment should it become necessary.[18]</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Ellis prepared himself for the mission by first arranging for his pay to be deposited directly in his bank account. As a ruse for the trip he arranged cover as a traveling agent buying copra for the John A. Hughes Trading Company of 2 Rectos Street, New York City.[19] Ellis also procured maps, charts, navigation, and confidential codebooks to take on his journey.[20] All these preparations were made presumably without the ONI having any direct or official knowledge.[21]</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>ELLIS THE SPY ON HIS MISSION</B> </FONT></div> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">Ellis left on his final mission in August 1921. After departing San Francisco aboard the <I>SS Maheno</I>, Ellis visited Australia, Samoa, and possibly Fiji. He returned to Australia where he obtained a visa to enter the Japanese mandates,[22] From there he went to Manila and then on to Japan. At every stop, with the exception of Samoa and Fiji, he became ill and was hospitalized.[23] Nevertheless, he pushed on toward Japan after cabling Washington on his whereabouts.[24]</FONT></div> <bR> <div><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">In late July 1922, Ellis sailed the <I>SS President Jackson</I> from Manila to Yokohoma where he stayed at the Grand Hotel. Soon after his arrival, he once again became ill. The Japanese hotel manager summoned Commander Ulys R. Webb, USN, commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokohoma who came to see Ellis and, diagnosing alcoholism, had him admitted to the hospital immediately.[25] Ellis confided to Dr. Webb that he was on a secret mission.[26] For the next two months Ellis was in and out of the hospital several times. On 12 September 1922, he was again admitted with “delirium tremens and hallucinations.”[27] Dr. Webb then assigned Chief Pharmacist Lawrence Zembsch to watch over him constantly and consulted privately with the American naval attaché at the U.S. Embassy, Captain Lyman A. Cotton, USN. Cotton and Webb arranged to have Ellis sent home,[28] and gave him his choice of leaving either by commercial liner or government transport.</FONT></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div style="text-align:CENTER; "><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#CC0033" FACE="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><B>Continued </B><A HREF="ellis2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Marine Spy in Micronesia, Page 2"><B>A Marine Spy in Micronesia, Page 2</B></A></FONT></div> <bR> <center><a href="http://nopukob.com/micronesia_books.htm"><b>Click Here for Micronesia & WW2 Books</b></a></center> <bR> <center><!-- Site Meter --> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://s11.sitemeter.com/js/counter.js?site=s11nopuko"> </script> <noscript> <a href="http://s11.sitemeter.com/stats.asp?site=s11nopuko" target="_top"> <img src="http://s11.sitemeter.com/meter.asp?site=s11nopuko" alt="Site Meter" border="0"/></a> </noscript> <!-- Copyright (c)2006 Site Meter --></center> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- amzn_cl_tag="micronesia-20"; //--></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://cls.assoc-amazon.com/s/cls.js"></script> <script src="http://www.google-analytics.com/urchin.js" type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript"> _uacct = "UA-1914497-1"; urchinTracker(); </script> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> </div> <div><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></div> <bR> </div> </BODY> </HTML>
